PROJECT PARTNERS
None
FUNDING
None
OBJECTIVES
Sports has evolved rapidly over the past decades. With an increased economic value, a surge of professionalization has taken place across various levels of play and across a multitude of sports. In contemporary sports athletes have become high-value assets in a business that is driven by athletic performance. This development also affects the role of the sports medical professional. Where not too long ago we serviced athletes, nowadays we lead a multidisciplinary team that is mandated to protect the athletes’ health and full availability. We are dubbed from being the doctor to be the Director of Performance. In essence our roles have shifted from being a service provider to a health manager who steers a multidisciplinary team of specialists. The question is whether we really have the necessary skills to lead a ‘team’ like this effectively?
Over the years most research on leadership in sports has focused on the coach and manager and their roles and impact on performance. In contrast, little has been done in regard to effective leadership Sports Medicine roles. Some evidence exists though, e.g. from professional football, where it was shown that coaching style and team communication are linked to team injury risk and player availability. Other insights stem from recent qualitative research that described from athlete interviews that the entire staff needs to be engaged in athlete health protection and needs to effectively communicate with athletes about symptoms and injuries. Also, it was shown in artistic environments that most of the potential for targeting injury risk factors lies outside the realm of sports medical care and sits in other departments within an organization. In light of such evidence, it would only flow logically to assume that those who know how to communicate effectively and unlock the potential of their multidisciplinary teams will do a better job in having the athletes ready and in full health to perform.
OBJECTIVES
This project aims to – through a qualitative study – explore the narrative of individuals with a leadership role in Sports Medicine and Sports Performance. Specifically this project aims to unravel the skills required to be an effective in Sports Medicine and Sports Performance, and develop a framework towards effective leadership in our field.